• School Mathematics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.803-825
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• 2014

From the early stages of learning algebra, literal symbols are used to represent algebraic objects such as variables and parameters. The concept of parameters contains both indeterminacy and fixity resulting in confusion and errors in understanding. The purpose of this research is to compare the beginners of algebra and pre-service teachers who completed secondary mathematics education in terms of understanding this paradoxical nature of parameters. We recruited 35 middle school students in eight grade and 73 pre-service teachers enrolled in a undergraduate course at one university. Using them we conducted a survey on the perception of the nature of parameters asking if one considers parameters suggested in a problem as variables or constants. We analyzed the collected data using the mixed method of qualitative and quantitative approaches. From the analysis results, we identified several difficulties in understanding of parameters from both groups. Especially, our statistical analysis revealed that the proportions of subjects with limited understanding of the concept of parameters do not differ much in two groups. This suggests that learning algebra in secondary mathematics education does not improve the understanding of the nature of parameters significantly.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

Intramuscular fat content(lMF) is considered as one of major economic traits in the pig breeding and industry. In general, high IMF results in better meat quality. Several approaches to detect quantitative trait 10ci( QTL) for IMF indicated a strong possibility of the existence of a QTL related to IMF between the microsatellite marker SW71 and SW1881 on SSC6q. Porcine FABP3 has been considered as a candidate gene affecting IMF due to its physiological roles and position on the pig genome. Two novel mutations, g.-114T> C and g.-158T>G were detected by duplicate sequencing of the porcine FABP3 promoter region. These two mutations were identified as absolute linkage disequilibrium. The g.-158T> G mutation was used for investigating relationships with growth and fat deposition traits. The GG genotype of the g.-158T> G polymorphism showed highly negative effects(P< 0.01) on body weights at 3 and 12 weeks of age, and a positive effect(P< 0.05) on IMF. However, backfat thickness(BF) and carcass fat(CF) content were not significantly associated with the genotype. The result indicates that the novel mutations, identified in this study, could be utilized as possible genetic markers to improve IMF, independent with BF.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.149-161
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• 2008

It is nearly impossible to estimate the exact state of the current rock stress of interest site by the theoretical and physical approaches except some specific geological situations. This means that in-situ stress measurement is a unique way to obtain reliable information on rock stress especially for civil and mining engineering related problems. Since late in the 90's, in-situ rock stress tests have been widely conducted to provide the quantitative information on the stress state of engineering site at the design stage of an underground rock structure in the Kyungsang Basin, Korea. The study area is the near surface regions at the depth less than 300 m in the Kyungsang Basin. It includes Yeosoo to the west and Busan to the east. Totally, 270 in-situ stress measurements were conducted in the surface test boreholes at the depth from 14 m to 300 m by hydraulic fracturing method. In this paper, based on the measurement data set, the overall characteristics of the current in-situ rock stress fields in the study area are briefly described. And also the investigation results on the difference between the stress distributions for the granitoid and the andesitic rock region are also introduced. Finally, the distributions of the regional horizontal stress directions in Busan and the Yangsan faults area are shown.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.55-89
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• 2017

This study suggests future directions or approaches as to how we should appraise qualitative studies by reviewing previous studies on this topic written in English and published outside of Korea. This study explored experiences and perspectives of qualitative researchers in Korea by conducting a focus group discussion on this topic. Results of this focus group discussion indicated that qualitative researchers often face manuscript reviewers who are overly biased with quantitative paradigm which result in feeling of frustration. They also shared feeling burdened and confused as reviewers due to their own lack of training and preparedness in reviewing qualitative articles. However, participants also stressed the feeling of gratitude and being rewarded because of the experience of mutual growth and partnership with peer qualitative researchers as they strive towards improving the quality and completion of peer researchers' work. Previous studies on this topic included wide range of issues concerning qualitative research appraisal from reflections on the experiences as submitters and reviewers of qualitative studies to academic conceptual papers that discussed researchers' dilemma on research paradigms and qualitative research appraising methods. This study ends with suggestions for the future directions for qualitative researchers in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Child Welfare
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• no.32
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• pp.129-160
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• 2010

This paper provides a review of research in the area of child(hood) sexual abuse. Particularly, the paper focuses on understanding the direction of research trends in Korea on this topic by evaluating the methodological changes, diversity of topics, and factors associated with research participants. The systemic, comprehensive review includes 28 articles in 14 primary Korean Journals and 261 articles in "Child Abuse and Neglect" and "Child Maltreatment" published from 2000 to 2008. Foci of the reviewing process were; (1) Do the transition of research methods follow scientific saturation? (2) What are the main subject areas of the field? (3)Who are the research participants and from where were they recruited? The review finds that overall, the number of CSA studies fluctuated in early 2000, but remained stable which means that academic interests have remained along with the social concern. The Korean CSA studies are imbalanced in terms of scientific saturation. Studies with theoretical methods are short in numbers, but there is a rapidly growing number of research using qualitative approaches. The review also highlights that most quantitative research utilized cross-sectional survey methodology. The major research themes that were most frequently found were studies on factors associated with CSA and evaluation of treatment modalities. However, research on perpetrators and measurement scale development were rather rare. In the CA&N and CM articles, study participants are frequently recruited from mental health clinics or related social agencies. Korean samples usually come from schools than communities and young children and their mothers seem to be excessively represented. Balanced research efforts are strongly suggested.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.235-244
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• 2021

The change of the development of transport and logistics systems occurs with the active change of technology and the advent of the era of Industry 4.0. It requires modernization of approaches to the development of transport and logistics systems at the macro and micro levels. The present study aims to identify perspective directions of development and evolution, find out the existing obstacles in the integration of technological solutions of transport and logistics systems at the macro and micro levels. This study is based on a quantitative and qualitative methodology for assessing the level of integration of technologies into transport and logistics systems to study the prospects for their development at the micro level. Macroeconomic indicators of transport and logistics in the context of different regions of the world were used to quantify the development prospects. For a qualitative assessment of the development of the transport and logistics system, the case study method was used. The object of the study was selected logistics company Sensco Logistics Inc., Austin TX. At the macro level, countries with more innovative logistics sectors have stronger mechanisms for coordinating private sector activities. Simplification of administrative procedures of control and regulation by the public sector in order to facilitate trade between countries is a promising direction for the development of transport and logistics systems. Such reforms are more effective in developing a "rigid" transport infrastructure. The integration of Industry 4.0 technology solutions into the international logistics sector is defined by political and legal barriers, especially in developing countries. In low-income countries, hard and soft infrastructure reforms are hindering the development of logistics companies that provide transport services. This determines the national level of development of transport and logistics systems, and in general the global level of development of transport and logistics. In developed countries, the legal barriers to the development of new technological logistics are environmental requirements for the integration of technologies into the transport system. These trends are slowing down the development of International Logistics, which, compared to other industries, is slower to integrate Industry 4.0 technologies. This study combines macroeconomic factors that determine the prospects for the development of transport and logistics systems at the micro level.

• Journal of Breast Cancer
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2018

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer among women worldwide, and therefore, improved approaches for its early detection are urgently needed. As microRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized as critical regulators in tumorigenesis and possess excellent stability in plasma, this study focused on using miRNAs to develop a method for identifying noninvasive biomarkers. Methods: To discover critical candidates, differential expression analysis was performed on tissue-originated miRNA profiles of 409 early breast cancer patients and 87 healthy controls from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. We selected candidates from the differentially expressed miRNAs and then evaluated every possible molecular signature formed by the candidates. The best signature was validated in independent serum samples from 113 early breast cancer patients and 47 healthy controls using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The miRNA candidates in our method were revealed to be associated with breast cancer according to previous studies and showed potential as useful biomarkers. When validated in independent serum samples, the area under curve of the final miRNA signature (miR-21-3p, miR-21-5p, and miR-99a-5p) was 0.895. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 97.9% and 73.5%, respectively. Conclusion: The present study established a novel and effective method to identify biomarkers for early breast cancer. And the method, is also suitable for other cancer types. Furthermore, a combination of three miRNAs was identified as a prospective biomarker for breast cancer early detection.

• The Southeast Asian review
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.47-84
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• 2018

Domestic debates on 'international development' has hitherto been rather more focused on the narrow topic of Official Development Assistance (ODA) - therefore, practical and practice-oriented enquiries for the former's effective implementation have dominated the field as a result. However, such lack of foundational debates on 'development' has rendered the field inept to respond to the rapidly changing development landscape since the new millennium both globally and in Southeast Asia. With this particular problematique in mind, the paper argues for the utility of critical Southeast Asian studies in enriching theoretical debates in Korea's international development studies. In doing so, we analysed the trend of academic research published since 2000, of which theme concern international development with a specific geographical focus on Southeast Asia. The result shows that such publication and the thematic issues have witnessed rapid quantitative growth since 2007 - while the nature of the publications still clearly remained practical and practice-oriented for effective execution of ODA. We therefore propose the critical Southeast Asian studies to overcome the problematique above by emphasising more inter-/multi-disciplinary approaches that challenge the hegemonic paradigm in the field.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.89-99
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• 2021

A brand community refers to a group of people who have a passion and loyalty for the brand, and is attracting attention as an effective marketing strategy to increase brand equity because it actively tends to support and promote the brand without expecting compensation. The objective of this study is to identify factors that are needed for sustainable brand community management. Existing studies on brand community management have mainly been conducted by quantitative methods measuring consumer satisfaction and dissatisfaction towards brand community activities, however, this study applied qualitative methods using means-end chains and laddering approaches in order to deeply identify a consumer's desired value on brand community activities. An in-depth interview of 41 members of BTS ARMY, a representative example of brand community, has been conducted and analyzed. The result of this study is as follows. In order to encourage active brand community activities, it is important to provide brand community members with a variety of high-quality brand-related content for a unique aesthetic experience, and a forum where all members can interact and exchange information and ideas to enhance brand value and experience. Finally, to nurture a strong brand community as a partner to co-create brand equity, rather than just a fan community, it is needed to build an environment that fosters opportunities for brand community members to increase self-respect and fulfillment through their brand community activities.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.701-712
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• 2021

As the domestic housing supply problem has been resolved, the apartment construction market has shifted to a consumer-oriented market that wants high quality, and in particular, expectations in the area of finishing quality have increased. Looking at the status of complaints regarding apartment housing defects supplied by Korea Land and Housing Corporation, tile-related complaints are the type occurring the most frequently. While the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport(MOLIT) is making an ongoing effort to reduce complaints related to defects, through approaches such as drafting amendments to 「Investigation of defects in apartment houses, calculation of repair costs, and standards for determining defects」, the provision of preventive measures has been insufficient. In addition, by reviewing studies, there has been insufficient research to construct a classification system after deriving the characteristics of each type using the qualitative knowledge of experts, various quantitative indicators, and suggesting measures for reduction according to the causes of each type. Therefore, this study will reflect qualitative indicators to use the AHP analysis that makes it easy to identify the relationship between defects by surveying construction experts. Then, by visualizing the weight of 'Possibility of recurrence after repair,' 'Degree of difficulty in repairing defects' and 'Fault frequency' using a radial graph, we will analyze the characteristics of each type of tile construction defect and establish measures for reduction according to the cause. This will improve the quality of the living environment and contribute to the establishment of a system for smooth defect management and reduction of defects in apartment tile construction.